AOSW Oncology Social Work
Standards of Practice
Standards of Practice in Oncology Social Work ©2001
Oncology social work is the primary professional discipline that provides psychosocial services to patients, families and significant others facing the impact of a potential or actual diagnosis of cancer. The scope of oncology social work includes clinical practice, education, administration and research. The standards of practice provided in this document are intended for clinical social workers practicing in the specialty of oncology social work.
The Masters in Social Work degree provides oncology social workers with theoretical knowledge, clinical expertise and practical experience with patients. In addition, oncology social workers often receive specialized training in cancer care through continuing education, inservice training and on-the-job experience.
Psychosocial services provided by oncology social workers include individual, family and group counseling, education, advocacy, discharge planning, case management and program development. These services are designed to maximize the patient's utilization of the health care system, foster coping, and mobilize community resources in order to support optimal functioning.
Oncology social work services are available to patients and families throughout all phases of the cancer continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, survivorship, terminal care, and bereavement. Services are delivered in a wide variety of settings including specialty cancer centers, general hospitals and health systems, ambulatory centers, home health and hospice programs, community-based agencies, and private practice settings.
Oncology social workers are an integral part of the health care team and contribute to the development and coordination of the overall treatment plan. In collaboration with other disciplines, oncology social workers provide discharge planning and case management, linking patients with a variety of services necessary to meet the person's multiple needs.
In addition to services to patients and families, oncology social workers address organizational and community needs through professional practice. Services are provided to institutions, voluntary health organizations, and community agencies with the overall aim of promoting health and improving the delivery of care to individuals at risk for or affected by cancer.
Standards of Practice
STANDARD I.
QUALIFICATIONS
Oncology social workers shall be knowledgeable about oncologic diseases and their treatments, psychosocial implications for individuals and families, appropriate interventions and available community and governmental resources. Oncology social workers must have knowledge of the usual course of cancer and its treatment so that patients and families can be helped to anticipate and deal with changes in family life.
The oncology social worker shall be masters prepared from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. It is preferred that the graduate have had prior employment or field placement experience in a health care setting.
STANDARD II.
SERVICES TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Oncology social work programs shall provide the following clinical and programmatic services:
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A.
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Completion of a psychosocial assessment of the patient and family's response to the cancer diagnosis to include:
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Stages in human development
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Knowledge about cancer and its treatment including level of understanding, reactions, and expectations
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Patient and family psychosocial functioning including strengths, coping skills and supports
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Characteristics of the patient's family and/or social and economic environment
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Ethnic, spiritual and cultural influences and concerns
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The source, availability, and adequacy of community resources
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Development of a case plan with patient and family based on mutually agreed upon goals to enhance, maintain and promote optimal psychosocial functioning throughout cancer treatment and its outcome.
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B.
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Utilization of a wide range of clinical interventions designed to address current and/or future problems as the patient's medical and psychosocial needs evolve.
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Utilization of high risk screening criteria for case finding and outreach activities.
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Development of knowledge of cancer, its treatment and current trends.
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Maintenance of knowledge of community resources and governmental programs available from local and national health and welfare agencies including expertise in accessing these for patients and families.
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Organization and facilitation of patient and family education.
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G.
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Collaboration with other professional disciplines in the planning and provision of services to cancer patients and their families.
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Advocacy for and protection of patients' dignity, confidentiality, rights, and access to care.
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Development of research based knowledge that relates to clinical issues, interventions and outcomes.
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STANDARD III.
SERVICES TO INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES
Oncology social work programs shall address institutional and agency needs including the following:
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Provision of education and consultation to other disciplines and staff regarding biopsychosocial, environmental, spiritual and cultural factors that affect oncology care.
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Collaboration with other disciplines and staff in the areas of comprehensive patient and family care, research and psychosocial education.
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Provision of services to professional caregivers which are designed to assist staff in the management of stresses inherent in clinical practice.
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Utilization of clinical documentation, statistical reporting, and evaluation to improve services, assure quality and develop programs.
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STANDARD IV.
SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY
Oncology social work programs shall address community needs including the following:
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Identification of barriers to effective service delivery and participation in institutional and community responses to these problems.
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Provision of services to at-risk populations, including assistance with access to cancer information, screening and treatment.
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Provision of consultation and volunteer services to institutions, voluntary health organizations and community agencies to promote health, to provide education, and to develop programs to better serve the community.
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STANDARD V.
SERVICES TO THE PROFESSION
Oncology social work programs shall address the following needs of the profession and its practitioners:
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Provision of the appropriate orientation, supervision, and evaluation of practitioners by clinical social workers, preferably with experience in oncology.
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Commitment to continuing professional education.
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Promotion of professional practice in accord with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
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Participation in student and professional training and education in the area of oncology social work.
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E.
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Contribution to oncology social work through participation in professional associations.
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